Jewelry assembly

ABSTRACT

A jewelry assembly has a receiving segment having a first and second end, and a removable segment having a first and second end. The first and second ends of the receiving segment each have a magnetically attracted surface. The first end and the second end of the removable segment each have a magnetically attracted surface. The first and second ends of the receiving segment are removably joined to the respective first and second ends of the removable segment by the magnetically attracted surfaces.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to jewelry, and more particularly tojewelry with a removable segment attached using magnets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Jewelry is considered desirable but is often expensive. People wish tohave multiple pieces of jewelry to wear with different outfits and fordifferent occasions. Typically, jewelry cannot be recast or modified.Importantly, the decorative portion of jewelry cannot be easily alteredor substituted. For example, a beaded necklace with a diamond pendantmay be beautiful, but not be very versatile. A need exists for a jewelryassembly that contains a removable portion to permit the interchange ofvarious jewelry sub-components.

In order for a removable portion to be practical, it must be easy toattach and detach. It is known to use a mechanical clasp to secure apiece of jewelry on a person. It is also known to use magnets to claspopposing ends of a jewelry chain together. For example, U.S. Pat. No.6,640,398 to Hoffman discloses using magnets displaced in channels onopposed ends of a single piece of jewelry. In Hoffman, the magnets helpclasp a single piece of jewelry together. However, nothing in Hoffmandiscloses a removable jewelry portion or attaching a removable jewelryportion to a receiving jewelry portion with magnets. A need exists for ajewelry assembly that contains an easily attachable removable portion. Aneed also exists for a jewelry assembly that uses magnets to attach aremovable portion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a jewelry apparatus with a removable portion.The removable portion is attached to a receiving portion using magnets.By use of magnets, the removable portion can be easily attached anddetached. The invention permits a person to swap between multipleremovable portions onto a single receiving portion. By doing so, aperson will be able to transform a smaller jewelry collection into aseemingly larger one.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a jewelryassembly is provided. The jewelry assembly has a receiving segment witha first and a second end; and a removable segment with a first and asecond end. The first and second ends of the receiving segment each havea magnetically attracted surface. The first end and the second end ofthe removable segment each have a magnetically attracted surface. Thefirst and second ends of the receiving segment are removably joined tothe respective first and second ends of the removable segment by themagnetically attracted surfaces.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a necklaceassembly is provided. The necklace assembly comprises a first segmenthaving opposed ends; a second segment having opposed ends; a firstconnection assembly; and a second connection assembly. Both the firstand second connection assemblies each have at least two magnets. The twomagnets of the first connection assembly removably join a first end ofthe first segment with a first end of the second segment. The twomagnets of the second connection assembly removably join a second end ofthe first segment with a second end of the second segment.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, a removablesegment of a necklace assembly is provided. The removable segmentcomprises a first end; a second end; and an ornamental portionpositioned between the first and second ends. The first end has a magnetthat removably connects to a first end of a receiving segment of anecklace assembly. The second end has a magnet that removably connectsto a second end of the receiving segment of a necklace assembly.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from thefollowing specification taken in conjunction with the followingdrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a necklace of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the magnetic connection assembly of thepresent invention taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of two removable segments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understandingthat the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification ofthe principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broadaspect of the invention to the embodiment illustrated.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, a jewelry assembly is provided. The presentinvention is preferably used with necklaces, although it can also beused with bracelets, anklets, earrings and other items of jewelry. Thelength of the jewelry assembly determines whether a particular assemblyis suited to be used as a necklace, bracelet or other item. By jewelry,applicant is also including belts with removable buckles, and thepresent invention is easily adaptable to be used with belts.

Referring to FIG. 1, jewelry assembly 10 is shown on person P. Jewelryassembly 10, in this case a necklace assembly, includes receivingsegment 12 and removable segment 14.

Receiving segment 12 is typically a flexible curvilinear item. It can bemade of cord, thread, metal (i.e., gold or silver) or any other materialas known to those in the art. As illustrated in FIG. 1, ornament designssuch as beads 16 can be part of receiving segment 12. Preferably,receiving segment 12 is continuous and uninterrupted.

Receiving segment 12 has a first end 18 and a second end 20. In theillustrated embodiment, first end 18 and second end 20 appear in theform of portions of a bead. At first end 18 and second end 20, there isa magnetically attracted surface such as a magnet.

In FIG. 1, removable segment 14 is removably joined to receiving segment12. Removable segment 14 has a first end 22 and a second end 24. In theillustrated embodiment, first end 22 and second end 24 appear in theform of complementary portions of the beads from ends 18 and 20. Atfirst end 22 and second end 24, there is a magnetically attractedsurface such as a magnet. Removable segment 14, in one embodiment,includes a decorative element 26 such as a precious or semi-preciousstone, pendant or other jewel or item. Decorative element 26 ispositioned between opposed ends 22 and 24.

First and second ends 18 and 20 are capable of being joined (andsubsequently detached) to first ends 22 and 24 respectively by themagnetically attracted surfaces. When joined, the jewelry assembly looksseamless and as if it were one integral piece to a casual viewer. Asshown in FIG. 2, magnet 40 attaches to magnet 42. The magnets mayphysically touch each other or at least be sufficient close (i.e., athin film may be separating the magnets) to keep the segments joined toeach other. Magnet 40 is within housing 44 and magnet 42 is withinhousing 46, which may be a mirror-image of housing 44. Magnets 40 and 42are connected to cords 48 and 49, respectively, of the removablesegment. Magnets 40 and 42 may have a circular, square, rectangular,triangular or other fixed cross-sectional shape. Magnets 40 and 42 maybe of identical shape and dimensions. The magnetically attractivesurfaces of the receiving segment are cooperatively dimensioned to matewith the magnetically attractive surfaces of the removable segment.

The magnetically attractive surfaces of the receiving segment may be setsuch that one of them is of positive polarity and one of them is ofnegative polarity. Similarly, the magnetically attractive surfaces ofthe removable segment may be set such that one of them is of positivepolarity and one of them is of negative polarity. In this configuration,the magnetically attractive portions of the removable segment mayconnect to each other and form a smaller necklace, bracelet, anklet orother jewelry. Along the same lines, the magnetically attractiveportions of the receiving segment may connect to each other to form abracelet or anklet. The polarity of the magnetically attractive surfacesmay be set up such that the removable segment must align with thereceiving segment in a way that the decorative element is always facingout from the wearer. Said another way, the polarity of the magneticallyattractive surfaces of the removable segment would only join with thereceiving segment while the decorative element was facing the rightdirection.

Alternatively, both ends of the receiving segment may be of one polaritywhile both ends of the removable segment may be of the other polarity.In such a setup, the receiving segment and the removable segment cannotclose on themselves because both ends of each segment contain magnets ofthe same polarity. However, it would be possible for a person tomistakenly connect the removable segment to the receiving segment withany decorative element facing the wrong direction.

The magnetically attractive surfaces may have strong enough magneticqualities to sufficiently prohibit lateral movement between thereceiving segment and the removable segment. Using such a strong magnethas the advantage of making the joining of the segments particularlyeasy. Alternatively, lateral movement of the magnetically attractivesurfaces when the receiving segment is attached to the removable segmentmay be limited by stopping means. These stopping means may include themagnetically attractive surfaces being oriented with respect to eachother in a tongue and groove configuration or an intermeshing teethconfiguration, or with one surface having a divot and the opposingsurface having a complementary dimple.

Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated two different removablesegments 30 and 50 of a necklace assembly. Removable segment 30 has ends32 and 34 and an ornamental portion 36 positioned between ends 32 and34. Removable segment 50 has ends 52 and 54 and an ornamental portion 56positioned between ends 52 and 54. Ornamental portions 36 and 56 mayinclude multiple stone or decorative items, and, if desired, each beingof different colors. Ornamental portion 56 is illustrated with one jeweland multiple beads of different diameters. Having different ornamentalportions permits the jewelry assembly to have a different look and feelwhen the removable segments are swapped. Ends 32, 34, 52 and 54 eachhave a magnet that removably connects to a magnet on a necklacereceiving segment. The magnets of ends 32, 34, 52 and 54 may be whollyor partially encased by a decorative housing. For example, ends 32 and34 may be partially covered by roughly half of a bead, the other half ofthe bead encasing the magnet on the necklace segment. While beads havebeen used as an example, the decorative housing may be of anyaesthetically pleasing ornamental design.

Multiple removable segments 30 may be joined together, and thenremovably attached to a receiving portion. For instance, end 32 of asegment 30 may be joined to end 54 of a segment 50. End 34 may be joinedto one opposed end of a necklace segment and end 52 joined to the otheropposed end of the necklace segment. Alternatively, a jewelry assemblymay be formed using multiple removable segments and no necklace segment.For example, seven removable segments may be joined to form a necklaceassembly.

In an alternative embodiment, the jewelry assembly is a belt. The buckleof the belt is decorative and included within the removable segment.

While the specific embodiment has been illustrated and described,numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing fromthe spirit of the invention, and the scope of protection is only limitedby the scope of the accompanying claims.

1-2. (canceled)
 3. The necklace assembly of claim 17 wherein the secondsegment has a length for use as a bracelet.
 4. The necklace assembly ofclaim 17 wherein the first segment has a plurality of ornamental beads.5. (canceled)
 6. The necklace assembly of claim 17 wherein thenonmagnetic stone comprises a precious stone.
 7. The necklace assemblyof claim 17 wherein the nonmagnetic stone comprises a semi-preciousstone.
 8. The necklace assembly of claim 17 wherein the nonmagneticstone comprises a pendent.
 9. (canceled)
 10. The necklace assembly ofclaim 4 wherein one of the magnets of the first connection assembly isof positive polarity and the other of the magnets of the firstconnection assembly is of negative polarity. 11-14. (canceled)
 15. Thenecklace assembly of claim 4 wherein one opposed end of the firstsegment and one opposed end of the second segment are complementaryportions of an aesthetically pleasing ornamental design.
 16. Thenecklace assembly of claim 4 wherein the magnets of the first connectionassembly are cooperatively dimensioned, and wherein the magnets of thesecond connection assembly are cooperatively dimensioned.
 17. A necklaceassembly having an open and closed position, the assembly comprising: afirst segment having opposed ends; a second segment having opposed endsand a nonmagnetic stone positioned between the opposed ends; a firstconnection assembly having a first and second side and at least twomagnets, wherein the two magnets of the first connection assemblyremovably join a first end of the first segment with a first end of thesecond segment; and a second connection assembly having a first andsecond side and at least two magnets, wherein the two magnets of thesecond connection assembly removably join a second end of the firstsegment with a second end of the second segment, and wherein when thenecklace assembly is in the closed position at least a portion of thefirst segment is positioned between the first side of the firstconnection assembly and the first side of the second connectionassembly, and at least a portion of the second segment is positionedbetween the second side of the first connection assembly and the secondside of the second connection assembly, and wherein when the necklaceassembly is in the open position, the two magnets in the firstconnection assembly are separated and the two magnets in the secondconnection assembly are separated.
 18. The necklace assembly of claim 17wherein at least one of the first connection assembly and the secondconnection assembly is in the general shape of a bead.
 19. In a necklaceassembly having first and second magnetically attracting receiving endsof a receiving segment, a removable segment of the necklace assemblyprovided for being positioned between the first and second receivingends of the receiving segment, comprising: a first end having a magnetprovided for magnetic attachment to the first receiving end of thereceiving segment; a second end having a magnet provided for magneticattachment to the second receiving end of the receiving segment; and anornamental portion positioned between the first and second ends.
 20. Theremovable segment of the necklace assembly of claim 19, wherein themagnets of the first and second ends are at least partially encased by adecorative housing.
 21. The necklace assembly of claim 17 wherein themagnets of the first connection assembly are at least partially encasedby a first decorative housing and the magnets of the second connectionassembly are at least partially encased by a second decorative housing.22. The necklace assembly of claim 21 wherein the first decorativehousing is a single bead, and the second decorative housing is thesingle bead.